Screening for blood lead levels in Basrah, southern Iraq

A prospective study over six months [from 1 July to 31 December 2002] measured the level of blood lead in individuals attending Primary Health Centers in the center District of Basrah Governorate. Six hundred and two individuals were selected randomly from those attending seventeen Primary Health Centers in the center of Basrah. Their ages ranged from 9-79 years. Of 602, Twenty six, 15 years of age or younger had mean blood lead levels [BLL] of 12.62+3.85 micro g/dl, those older than 15 years had levels of 11.20+3.4 micro g/dl, [p<0.05]. Males of different age groups showed a statistically significantly higher BLL compared to females [13.25+3.25 and 10.10+2.96 micro g/dl respectively], p<0.0001. The center of Basrah was divided into 11 main areas; there was a statistically significant difference in BLL among individuals living in different areas, ranging from 7.26+2.81 micro g/dl to 12.76+3.63 micro g/dl. Individuals with higher education and smokers showed higher BLL [12.1 0+3.54 micro g/dl, 13.81+3.57 micro g/dl respectively] compared to those of lower education and non-smokers [11.11+3.23 micro g/dl, 10.93+3.26 micro g/dl respectively], the differences were statistically significant. The sources of drinking water and frequency and amount of milk consumed/week did not show a significant correlation with BLL. History of lead exposure [occupational] was statistically significantly associated with BLL [15.3+4.85 micro g/dl] for those exposed to higher concentration of lead compared to others [11.1 2+3.3 micro g/dl], p<0.0001. Amongst females using kohl [25.6%], the mean BLL was significantly higher [13.91+4.42 micro g/dl], compared to non-users [9.88+2.68 micro g/dl], p<0.0001. No significant difference was observed among those exposed to paints. As adequate data on BLL in our country do not exist, especially for children, and as the number of children in this study was small, further studies are warranted to recognize the extent and risk factors for lead poisoning in children

Clinical and biochemical profile of alcohol users in Basra

All psychiatric and general medical male patients referred to 2 hospitals in Basra, Iraq from September 2000 to April 200l were screened using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. A total of 189 men were identified as having alcohol-related problems. The majority were aged 30-49 years, and two-thirds had drunk alcohol for over 10 years. About 53% of patients exceeded 1 bottle [750 mL] of spirits daily, and 14.8% reported morning drinking. Elevation of liver enzymes, hepatomegaly, jaundice and cirrhosis were identified in 46.0%. Liver cirrhosis was more common in patients drinking locally made arak. Many of the patients suffered psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression and suicide attempts, and 80.9% took other psychoactive drugs

Frequency of haemoglobinopathies and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Basra

Basra, southern Iraq, was mapped for haemoglobinopathies and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency. Of 1064 couples aged 14-60 years recruited from the Public Health Laboratory, 49 had beta-thalassaemia trait, 69 had sickle-cell trait, 2 had haemoglobin D trait, 2 had haemoglobin C trait and 1 had high persistent fetal haemoglobin. Carriers of major beta-globin disorders comprised 11.48%. G6PD deficiency was detected in 133 individuals [12.5%]. Only 10 couples [0.94%] were at risk of having children affected with either sickle-cell disease or beta-thalassaemia major. These defects constitute a real health problem and necessitate a management plan and public health education for early diagnosis and therapy

Correlation between normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase level and haematological parameters

The study involved 143 individuals and aimed to correlate normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] level with haematological parameters. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between G6PD level and haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between G6PD level and white blood cell count and reticulocyte count, but no significant correlation was found between G6PD level and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The negative correlation between G6PD level and haemoglobin suggests that anaemic people have higher G6PD levels than normal individuals. The positive correlation between G6PD level and white blood cell count indicates that white blood cells may play an important role in contributing to G6PD level

Haemolytic potential of three chemotherapeutic agents and aspirin in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

The potential haemolytic effect of three chemotherapeutic drugs and aspirin was tested in vitro by gluthathione stability tests. Blood was collected from the local population of Basra, Iraq where previous studies had found a high frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency. Primaquine, chloramphenicol and sulfanilamide caused significant concentration-dependent reductions of glutathione levels in G6PD-deficient red cells when compared to normal red cells. Acetylsalicylic acid had no effect on glutathione level. The G6PD-deficient erythrocytes behaved as previously reported, probably due to similar patterns in the distribution of its variants. Studies on each local variant are warranted and new drugs should be tested for haemolytic potential prior to their introduction in areas where the deficiency is common

Plasma cholesterol and triglycerides level in patients with sickle cell disease in Basrah

To determine the effect of anemia due to genetic red cell defects on the value of plasma lipids, the level of plasma cholesterol and triglycerides was estimated in a group of 74 patients with sickle cell disease [39 Hb AS and 35 Hb SS] and 50 age and sex matched control group with normal haemo-globin [Hb AA]. The level of plasma cholesterol was lower in sickle cell patients as compared with the normal control group and the difference was found to be statistically significant [P < 0.001]. The possible role of hypocholesterolaemia in those patients was discussed